John Gaio's blog

The Bank of Canada announced on October 25th it would be holding its key lending rate at 5.0%, the second consecutive hold since two quarter-point increases were made over the summer. Since March of last year, the central bank has imposed an unprecedented number of rate hikes in an effort to reduce pandemic-fueled inflation, taking interest rates from historic lows to a more than two-decade high. While approximately three quarters (74%) of Canadian mortgage holders currently have a fixed-rate agreement in place, higher interest rates have had a major impact on those with a variable-rate...

While many Canadians have adjusted to the increased cost of borrowing, elevated interest rates continue to impact activity in markets across the country, keeping some buyers and sellers stuck on the sidelines. During the third quarter, inventory rose and sales activity softened, although this did not necessarily translate into steep price declines. Canada’s chronic shortage of housing supply is keeping property prices relatively stable.

“With activity slowing, home prices softened in some of our major markets over the last three months, following a stronger-than-expected second quarter....

The season of pumpkin spice is once again upon us, and so are fall decorating traditions. For many of us, the transition from summer to fall is a nostalgic time to break out the spooky decor, unpack the turkey-themed table runner and adorn the front door with our favourite fall wreath. But, if dressing up the house with orange pumpkins and burlap year after year is getting a bit stale over time, there’s no harm in shaking up your fall decorating choices this season.

Here are four new 2023 fall decor trends you can try in your home (sans pumpkins):

Earthy tones

Fall colours are...

Advancements in technology have had an incredible impact on the Canadian real estate industry. Technology has allowed consumers to be more engaged in the buying and selling process, helping to keep them informed and up to date, and offering real estate professionals useful tools to service their clients quicker and more efficiently than ever before. Online applications and digital resources proved to be especially important during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when viewing a home in person became increasingly challenging amid safety concerns and social distancing rules. However, the...

After staging your property, hosting showings and entertaining offers, selling your home feels like a huge accomplishment.  

Even after you’ve found the perfect buyers, there’s still plenty to do on the countdown to moving day. While your focus will likely be on packing and making arrangements for your new home, simple but important tasks should not go overlooked.Before you officially hand over the keys and say goodbye to your former abode, consider completing these four important tasks. 

1. Update your utilities, accounts and subscriptions

Don’t forget to disconnect before you...

Every now and then, you may look at your kitchen and feel that it needs a facelift to bring it up to speed with current design trends. Thankfully, upgrading your home doesn’t have to break the bank, or require a major construction overhaul. Even small updates like switching out cabinet hardware or applying a new coat of paint can make your kitchen feel brand new.

Here are five small yet powerful ways to update your kitchen without spending thousands of dollars.

Introduce open shelving

Adding open shelving to your kitchen not only creates an additional means of storage, but also an...

In Canada’s fast-paced real estate market, buying a home can involve multiple in-person showings and many rounds of offer negotiation, plus several years of saving for a sizable down payment. These hurdles can make it difficult for some buyers to get a foot on the property ladder, especially in today’s low-inventory, high-interest-rate environment. 

Some Canadian homebuyers prefer an alternative approach to purchasing real estate that forgoes the conventional challenges of resale transactions, opting to purchase their home pre-construction. Pre-construction, a popular choice for...

Moving can be a very exciting time for a family. The anticipation of new surroundings, opportunities and a fresh start can be quite enticing. However, moving is considered a major life event, and affects all children differently.

If you are a parent who is looking for ways to help your child handle the moving process and adjust to their new environment, read these five tips on how to help them cope with the transition.

1. Communicate

Communicating with your child about the move will help them feel supported. Share with them the reasons behind the move and how you’re feeling about...

As home prices and interest rates continue to rise, whilst inventory remains extremely tight, Canada’s first-time buyers are feeling increasingly worried about missing out on their desired home because they don’t have enough of a down payment.

Warmer weather and sunnier skies are upon us. With the Victoria Day long weekend (aka the unofficial start to summer) on the horizon, thousands of Canadians are preparing to reopen the cottages for the season once again. Of course, you can’t just jump straight into enjoying a weekend away at the cabin without a little maintenance work first. Unwinterized properties that have been vacant for the last several months will need some love and attention to get them up and running again post-winter.